The Hollows by Kim Harrison Read-a-Long – The Good, The Bad and the Undead

Before we begin, just a reminder that this post and its comments will include spoilers for the first book in Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series. This read-a-long is for those who have read the books previous to now and also for those who are new to the series so please, no spoilers for books beyond the one featured in the discussion this week. Thanks!

This week’s book –

The Good, the Bad and the Undead, Book 2

From Goodreads –

It’s a tough life for witch Rachel Morgan, sexy, independent bounty hunter, prowling the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati for criminal creatures of the night.

She can handle the leather-clad vamps and even tangle with a cunning demon or two. But a serial killer who feeds on the experts in the most dangerous kind of black magic is definitely pressing the limits.

Confronting an ancient, implacable evil is more than just child’s play — and this time, Rachel will be lucky to escape with her very soul.

My rating: 4 stars

My observations and questions

My thoughts on this book: There is a serial killer targeting all the ley line magic users in the city and Rachel is sure it is Trent, which somewhat blinds her to the real situation. So Rachel thinks Nick is her boyfriend? No heat there for me. I like Kisten. I still don’t know about Trent but I want to know more. The demon issue is big and bad. If Rachel is going to be up against demons and undead and all, she needs to learn more skills, including ley line magic. We still know very little about the FIB and almost nothing about the IS.

Here were my questions from book 1

• What is Trent? An elf. • What is Nick’s deal? Not sure I know and not sure I care. • Why did Ivy leave the I.S. really? ??? We get some possible ideas. • Who did call the demons? Piscary. • Will Rachel and her friends be working with the FIB now? They did work with the FIB as a consultant a bit. • Will Rachel get a romance? ???

And some of your questions:

• What would Rachel have to do to get rid of her Demon Mark? • Also, is Nick really trustworthy?, He seems to “borrow” books too easily and he’s not comfortable around the FIB. • You want to know more about Ivy.

Here are my questions for book 2:

• Why did Ivy leave the I.S. really? • Will Rachel get into a romance? • How will Rachel get out from the demon? • I want to know all about Trent’s father and Rachel’s father, their relationship and how they died. • How will Ivy hold up with being scion and not wanting to be scion? • Why did Quan help Rachel?

Games

Who said: “I told you, computers are like women. If you shout at them or ask them to do too many things at once, they shut down and you won’t even get a sniff”

Some great quotes from Book 1 you shared with me: Double damn. I was a harlot. I was a freaking vampire hussy. ~ Rachel One of my favorite lines is the letter from Trent. “‘ Congratulations on your newfound independence. When you see it for the illusion it is, I’ll show you true freedom.’ ” What are you?” I rasped. It smiled. “Whatever scares you. ~ Al

Thank you!

Schedule and wrap up

The winner of the Week 1 giveaway is Janice A .

We’re doing roughly one book a week, with a posting on Wednesday, most weeks. I can’t commit to doing a review every week, but as a minimum, I will make some observations and ask a few questions I want to know after reading the book. I have some ideas for some fun and games as we go along. Here’s our planned schedule (updated):

May 28 – Every Which Way but Dead, book 3- Guest review by Jennifer, The Book Nympho

June 4 – none just because June 11 – A Fistful of Charms, book 4 June 18 – For a Few Demons More, book 5 June 25 – The Outlaw Demon Wails, book 6

August 6 – A Perfect Blood, book 10 – Guest review by Tabitha, Not Yet Read August 13 – none because no blog posts as Julie is on vacation August 20 – Ever After, book 11 August 27 – The Undead Pool, book 12

September 9 – release day for the final book, A Witch with No Name, book 13.

So – Post a comment for me so I know you’re reading. Include a quote from the book (hopefully not the same as others). If you haven’t read the books before, tell me some of the questions you have now. If you’ve read the books already, don’t be a spoiler to the rest of us!
In the rafflecopter giveaways, there is a place to answer the Who said game and also a place to enter a quote from the book. One giveaway ends after this week; one is the final prize giveaway for the whole event.

It’s not too late to join us, feel free to come along, readers. There’s even a catch up week coming up. And on to Book 3 – Every Which Way but Dead. Happy Reading!

I enjoyed this book. Rachel solved who was murdering the witches and became more entangled with Al. I was really into the series at this point. Since I started the series late, I was able to read the first five books one right after another.

I like these quotes from Al:
“Flay me and slay me. Spun candy and nectar.”

“Such a pretty pair you make, like matched horses in my stables.”

And Trent’s “You had another thought. You are such fun, Ms. Morgan. Watching you is like watching a five-year-old.”

Questions:
Will Rachel have to go to the Ever After as Al’s familiar?
What is the connection with Trent’s and Rachel’s fathers? Why did Piscary want to know if Rachel has helped Trent? And how did Rachel’s cure affect her?

Gah! I’m already getting sucked completely into this! I don’t want to read this books I’m supposed to be reading b/c I want to keep reading THE HOLLOWS! I knew this would happen, LOL. Oh well . . .

Once again I know all of the answers to your questions, but I’m being good and not saying anything. You’re a bit harsher with Nick than I was this early in the game though. At book 2, I didn’t completely trust him–he was a bit too sticky-fingered for that, but I also felt sorry for him. I mean, come on . . . Rachel made him her familiar. Accident or not, that can’t be good for a relationship. Anyway, the TEAMKILLNICK *snorts* mentality didn’t kick in until a few books down the road for me.

I freaking love this series. I am sad to see it ending, but I’m glad she’s putting things to bed before they get drawn out and horrible. Since this is a re-read for me, I know the answers to the questions. I remember when I first read the books, I was really questioning Nick and Ivy’s motives. I was always more freaked out by Piscary than Al. I have always gone back and forth on Trent. Sometimes I love him and sometimes I am really pissed at him.

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About Me

I'm Julie and this blog is all about Romance and Urban Fantasy Book Reviews, Author Interviews, Guest Posts, Slices of Life and Silly Stuff Too!

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Rating System

I loved, loved, loved this book! I will definitely read it again and recommend it to anyone who will listen!
5 stars with extra lovin'! Not only am I going to re-read this book and recommended it often, but I will most likely cuddle with it a little too!
I loved this book. I will most likely pick it up again someday.
I truly enjoyed this book while I was reading it, but I don't see myself reading it again.
I was disappointed with this book. It was only okay and I skimmed through a few parts.
I really want to find the person who suggested this book and ask them why they thought reading it would be a valuable way to spend my ME time!